Briefing Paper

Community Opportunities in Aquaculture: What are the Possibilities and Limits?

“Developing countries are more likely to feel the fish shortfall as cheap and accessible fish protein becomes less available. Increased aquaculture production could be critical in bridging the gap. However, despite huge advances in aquaculture in China, Southeast Asia and other regions, Africa’s contribution to global aquaculture production was still less than 3% in 2012. Africa’s low
aquaculture productivity is mirrored in South Africa where less than 5 000 tonnes of fish per year comes from aquaculture,
while over 600 000 tonnes is from capture fisheries. Even at continental level, South Africa contributes less than 1% to Africa’s aquaculture production. Nevertheless, aquaculture has great potential to increase fish production in South Africa and Africa.”